Customised cakes high in demand this New Year season in Port city

Although business in city bakeries has hit hard after demonetisation, it has come as a blessing in disguise for the individual cake designers ahead of the New Year.
A customers choosing New year cake at a bakery in Visakhapatnam on Friday | Express
A customers choosing New year cake at a bakery in Visakhapatnam on Friday | Express

VISAKHAPATNAM: Although business in city bakeries has hit hard after demonetisation, it has come as a blessing in disguise for the individual cake designers ahead of the New Year.
Even after the bakeries have updated to provide customers with options for cashless transactions, people seem reluctant to place orders in advance as the owners of the bakeries say that their sales have dipped to the tune of 40 per cent. In contrast, the individual patisseries have equipped themselves by providing alternative options for their customers to make payments and said that they have seen a considerable increase in their business.

Despite keeping a swiping machine, according to Sirisha Challa of Bake My Wish, “Usually we receive bulk orders for cakes 10-15 days before the New Year from the corporates.
Cash being the preferred mode of payment in bakeries, this year we have got only a few orders owing to cash crunch.” “Since our orders have come down from 80 to 50, I am expecting on the spot sale for the festive season,” she added. Sashikanth of Bakers Hub, said, “I have not received a single order this year and I am confused as I have no clue as to how many cakes to prepare for this New Year.”
Going the digital way, Vinita Mehta, an established cake artist in the city, said, “The demonetisation has made my work convenient with the use of applications and online modes of payment. Dealing with customers has become easy as I need not provide change or take cash and then deposit in my bank. Instead I provide my account details or ask the customer to pay via Paytm or Chillr app and the money directly is deposited in my account.” She also added, “Fastest selling cakes include Red Velvet, Nutella chocolate and Ferrero Rocher cake.

But to provide new varieties to youngsters, I have started personalising cakes according to the customer’s choice and hence the demand for customised cakes has increased.”
Bhavika Nahata who takes orders for cakes and chocolates via Facebook page ‘The Dark Love’, expressed, “December being the peak season for cakes, I expected a fall in demand this year post-demonetisation. Fortunately, I have received enough orders for the New Year online.” “Cakes in flavours of cresta, candy land, cream and cookies and mocha are trending online and most of the people opine that they do not want to postpone their celebrations and hence make their payments online before their cake is delivered,” she added.

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The New Indian Express
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